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WHATT
2,4

Competitive destination analysis

in Southern European countries
guas, Celia Veiga and Helena Reis
Paulo A
Escola Superior de Gestao, Hotelaria e Turismo,
Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal

364
Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the competitiveness of the European Union
Member States of Southern Europe (France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) as tourist destinations
for European Union Member States of Central and Northern Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark,
Finland, Germany, The Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden and the UK).
Design/methodology/approach Application of the market share analysis tool, initially developed
by Faulkner, using secondary data from Eurostat statistical office of the European communities.
Findings The results obtained show that France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain present distinct
levels of competitiveness for the various generating countries, with changes having occurred in the
period between 1999 and 2007.
Originality/value The paper offers refreshment of Faulkners tool and an insight into tourist flows
in Europe as a tool for tourism and hospitality managers.
Keywords Tourism, Situation analysis, Market share, Competitive strategy, Market research,
European Union
Paper type Research paper

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism

Themes
Vol. 2 No. 4, 2010
pp. 364-375
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
1755-4217
DOI 10.1108/17554211011074029

Introduction
Competitiveness is a widespread concern in contemporary society. Issues such as an
increasing globalization and the shift from commodity-based economies towards
economies driven by knowledge, innovation and commercialization (Ruhanen, 2007,
p. 134) are perceived as strong determinants for the rise of competition.
The competitiveness of an industry has become a critical determinant for a
well-founded performance in world markets (Crouch and Ritchie, 1999). However, the
concept of competitiveness is no longer restricted to economic activities. It has filtered out
from organisational domains to reach other subjects, such as countries and individuals.
To be competitive has become a central objective, the condition to be achieved by all.
In the tourism field, where competition is recognized as increasingly intense (Lee et al.,
2006; Buhalis, 2000) authors such as Crouch and Ritchie (1999) support the idea that
prosperity depends intimately upon tourism destination competitiveness. Following
this thought Gomezelj and Mihalic (2008, p. 294) argue that the degree to which a
country can benefit from its tourism sector depends largely on this sectors competitive
position in the international tourism market.
Destination marketing success depends deeply on the selection of competitive
markets portfolio. As argued by Smeral and Witt (2002, p. 287) the overall competitive
position of a destination in international tourist should form a sound basis for optimizing
the allocation of financial resources and analysing general marketing and supply
strategies. The market share analysis (MSA) tool has proven to be an effective
performance measure to evaluate the relative competitive position and, therefore,

a fundamental tool assisting the National Tourism Organization in the construction of

successful marketing strategies.
By applying the MSA tool, a study is made concerning the competitiveness of
European Union Member States of Southern Europe (France, Greece, Italy, Portugal
and Spain) as tourist destinations, in relation to European Union Member States of
Central and Northern Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany,
The Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden and the UK) as tourist generating markets.
Theoretical background
There is no exact, universal definition of the term competitiveness (Feurer and
Chaharbaghi, 1994). In a generic approach, the concept implies a degree of superiority,
expressed qualitative or quantitatively, of one unit (firm, territory, etc) over the real
and potential competitors set (Cracolici and Njikamp, 2008; Crouch and Ritchie, 1999).
However, in organisational terms, competitiveness can have different meanings
depending on the situation. This ambiguity, as put forward by Porter (1990), is the
result of a wide variety of perspectives on competitiveness and makes it difficult to
give an operational or conclusive definition. More specifically, other authors agree that
the complexity of the concept derives from its relative nature and multidimensional
character (Dwyer and Kim, 2003; Ritchie and Crouch, 1993). In spite of this complexity,
one may conclude that, in all cases, the essence of competitiveness resides in the central
competences of each organisation.
In the tourism industry, destination competitiveness is becoming an area of growing
interest amongst tourism researchers (Cracolici and Njikamp, 2008; Enright and
Newton, 2004; Dwyer and Kim, 2003; Buhalis, 2000; Crouch and Ritchie, 1999).
Porter (1990) introduced the first studies about competitiveness of countries and the
principal economic sectors in the 1980s. Ritchie and Crouch (1993) considered that the
models purposed by Porter together with the World Economic Forum constitute sound
bases for the development of an approach to competitiveness in tourism. The Porter
Five Diamonds Model is the basis for their comprehensive model on tourism
competitiveness. However, these authors further contest the case for the development
of a model specifically for tourism, based on the differences between the tourism
product and more traditional goods and services. They proceed to identify possible
variables for the functions defined in the model, but do not take it to the operational
stage due to its underlying complexity.
More recently, several studies tried to put into practice the model proposed by
Ritchie and Crouch, with a particular focus on the environmental perspective (Gomezelj
and Mihalic, 2008; Enright and Newton, 2004; Mihalic, 2000).
Previous contribution by Gearing et al. (1974) proposes a much simpler model to
determine the competitiveness of a tourist destination, with the following four stages:
(1) selection of the criteria for the evaluation of competitiveness;
(2) determination of the relative importance of each criterion;
(3) attribution of points to the criteria; and
(4) calculation of the value of competitiveness (this consists of adding up the points
attributed to the criteria).
Several empirical studies continue to use Gearings approach. The supply perspective
(Henshall and Roberts, 1985) or the demand perspective (Kozak and Rimmington, 1999)

Competitive
destination
analysis
365

WHATT
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366

can be the bases for the evaluation. Bibliographical research and/or destination
experts opinion are the main sources for the list of selected criteria.
Notwithstanding the emergence of other instruments, such as portfolio analysis or
the model of industry attractiveness, potential sales continue to be a key indicator in
the evaluation of performance. In tourism, tourist arrivals, overnight stays and revenue
constitute, among others, sales proxies, but due to differences in the production of
statistics, overnight stays appear to be the most reliable indicator (Mazanec, 1986b).
Eusebio et al. (2006) argue that market share is particularly pre-eminent among
measures of comparison with the competition and is one of the most used measures in
the academic field, as well as in business practice.
The MSA is an important instrument in assessing the competitive position of
tourism destinations. Faulkner (1997, p. 23) maintained that the fundamental objective
of national tourism administrations in their efforts to promote their destinations
abroad is to increase the countrys market share beyond that which might otherwise
have been achieved.
The importance of the information provided by MSA is also pointed out by
Durbarry and Sinclair (2003) who defend that changes in a destinations shares of its
major markets can bring about considerable economic repercussions. Departing from
these concerns, Smeral and Witt (2002) developed an evaluation scheme based on
indices of market share.
Several empirical studies on the issue of competitiveness of destinations have
attempted, simultaneously, to evaluate the attractiveness of generating markets
(Cracolici and Njikamp, 2008; Faulkner, 1997; Bonn and Brand, 1995; Mazanec, 1995,
1986a, b; McKercher, 1995; Wynegar, 1994; Loker and Perdue, 1992; Rita, 1992;
Calantone and Mazanec, 1991; Henshall and Roberts, 1985).
Methodology for evaluating tourism destinations performance
The proposed tool of analysis allows us to evaluate the performance of the destinations
and thus to draw conclusions about the general level of competitiveness. It does not
permit, however, the identification of specific causes.
The starting point is the MSA developed by Faulkner (1997). The indicators share
deviation (SD) and share variation (SV) are the main variables of the MSA. SD is a
temporally static indicator which, from the point of view of destination analysis,
compares the market share of destination A in the generating country i with the
(average) market share of destination A in the whole set of generating countries under
study, at a specific moment in time. For its quantification, we suggest the following
expression:
SDi

h


i
MSAi=MSAi 2 1 100

where:
SDi

Share deviation in country of origin i, at the moment in time t.

MSAi Market share of destination A in country of origin i, at the moment in time t.

MSAi Market share (average) of destination A in the generating countries under
study, at the moment in time t.

SV is a temporally dynamic indicator which, from the point of view of destination

analysis, compares the growth rate in tourist flows from the country of origin i to
destination A with the growth rate of tourist flows from the country of origin i to the
set of competing destinations under study, for a determined period of analysis. For its
quantification, we suggest the following expression:
SVi TFiA 2 TFiN
SVi

Competitive
destination
analysis
367

Share variation in country of origin i, at the moment in time t.

TFiA Variation of tourist flows from country of origin i to destination A, between

the moments in time 0 and t.
TFiN Variation from country of origin i to the destinations under analysis,
between the moments in time 0 and t.
Under normal circumstances, the entry of a (new) generating country, for which the
(past) tourist flows were almost nil, will be associated with a negative SD and a
positive SV (fourth quadrant, e.g. Position A see Figure 1).
From Position A, there are two possible scenarios. In case of success, where the SV
is persistently positive, the destination will end up showing a market share in the new
country of origin, which is above its average share (positive SD). Therefore, the
generating country will move to the first quadrant (e.g. Position B). In case of failure,
where there is a rapid shift to a negative SV, the generating country will move to the
third quadrant (e.g. Position D).

SD > 0
SV < 0
Q: Uncertainty

SD > 0
SV > 0
Q: Success
1st Q

SD Share deviation (vertical axis)

2nd Q

3rd Q

4th Q

SD < 0
SV < 0
Q: Failure

SD < 0
SV > 0
Q: Entry
SV Share variation (horizontal axis)

Figure 1.
MSA box

WHATT
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368

After a situation of success has been reached (positive SD and positive SV, e.g.
Position B), two scenarios are available. If success persists, the generating country will
remain in the first quadrant. However, if there is a move towards negative SV, the
generating country will change over to a situation of uncertainty (second quadrant,
e.g. Position C).
If it is not possible to avoid a situation of failure (negative SD and negative SV, e.g.
Position D), once again there are two possible scenarios. If there is no improvement and
the situation of negative SV continues, the generating country will remain in the third
quadrant. Alternatively, there may be a re-launching of the destination in the
generating country, which will permit the return of gains in market share and a new
situation of entry (fourth quadrant, e.g. Position A).
It is also relevant to keep in mind the importance of the generating country. Its
representation should occur within a circle, centred on the value of the coordinate (SV, SD).
Once the values of SV and SD for all the destinations are obtained, it is possible to conduct
an analysis by generating country. This is indeed, the most appropriate approach to study
the position of a particular destination in relation to its competitors. The only change
occurs in the area of the circle, which becomes proportionate to the market share of the
destination in that specific generating country.
For the present study, the objectives are:
.
To characterise the spread of overnight stays in the hotel establishments of
France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, originating from European Union
Member States of Central and Northern Europe.
.
To study the recent evolution, between 1999 and 2007, of the competitive position
of France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, in relation to European Union
Member States of Central and Northern Europe.
The following hypotheses were tested:
H1. The relative tourist competitiveness of France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and
Spain has not been altered.
H2. France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain show distinct levels of
competitiveness in the generating countries under analysis.
Requirements to develop a MSA:
.
a group of generating regions Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany,
The Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden and the UK;
.
a group of destination regions France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain;
.
a performance variable nights spent in hotel and similar establishments,
available at Eurostat database; and
.
a minimum of two periods will be 2000 (1999-2001 annual average), 2003
(2002-2004 annual average) and 2006 (2005-2007 annual average).
Owing to missing data, it was not possible to extend neither the period of analysis nor
the regions to other countries, namely the most recent European Union Member States.
To minimize the effect of annual unexpected figures, each observation is an average of
three years. Table I presents the data used to develop the MSA.

Country of residence
2006
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Ireland
The Netherlands
Sweden
UK
Sub-total
Total
2003
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Ireland
The Netherlands
Sweden
UK
Sub-total
Total
2000
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Ireland
The Netherlands
Sweden
United Kingdom
Sub-total
Total

France

Greece

Italy

Portugal

Spain

Total

388,416
5,136,287
522,887
189,445
6,869,489
639,493
3,462,923
547,640
15,516,992
33,273,574
71,842,234

1,552,647
1,504,862
841,566
696,593
9,128,478
247,538
2,415,965
1,334,428
7,485,542
25,207,619
43,314,608

4,778,670
2,803,555
1,129,513
655,819
27,644,620
1,345,005
2,824,805
1,399,880
10,644,953
53,226,821
107,657,904

297,950
556,000
478,010
378,303
3,870,797
971,395
1,766,845
554,173
7,446,963
16,320,436
25,285,958

1,187,332
5,052,174
1,494,859
790,840
43,329,069
2,402,935
5,559,491
2,286,556
43,653,292
105,756,548
148,416,073

7,017,683
10,000,705
2,971,976
1,920,160
47,513,385
3,203,432
10,470,538
3,836,122
41,094,451
128,028,450
396,516,777

423,544
4,966,477
573,039
159,788
7,642,557
464,942
3,897,397
575,907
17,079,355
35,783,007
72,438,714

1,654,168
1,471,098
791,779
625,668
9,965,793
231,744
1,863,126
1,385,601
7,928,016
25,916,993
39,472,987

4,740,810
2,591,543
769,034
453,485
28,380,162
822,595
2,413,913
1,159,262
9,218,229
50,549,034
96,315,549

243,046
516,474
325,741
366,547
3,925,303
1,012,311
1,662,724
628,078
7,290,615
15,970,839
23,259,795

948,887
5,421,324
1,003,351
633,091
38,115,087
1,762,845
5,335,585
2,118,262
43,477,933
98,816,364
135,785,164

7,061,568
9,545,593
2,459,593
1,605,489
49,913,816
2,531,592
9,837,160
3,748,848
41,516,215
128,219,873
367,272,209

447,411
5,017,811
670,332
220,025
8,446,743
384,705
3,939,008
700,281
15,952,079
35,778,396
71,248,252

2,087,955
1,513,577
1,021,762
698,657
13,662,309
142,705
2,155,287
1,714,393
8,056,040
31,052,685
43,145,016

5,090,935
2,528,951
842,991
508,749
31,582,732
566,270
2,386,458
1,195,886
8,218,725
52,921,698
95,926,334

289,191
548,736
439,793
326,213
4,890,089
710,783
1,774,589
632,189
7,103,867
16,715,449
23,670,123

1,066,089
6,256,327
1,077,986
705,536
48,241,129
1,058,174
5,790,052
2,605,828
40,940,371
107,741,492
145,406,062

7,915,492
9,609,076
2,974,878
1,753,645
58,581,872
1,804,463
10,255,342
4,242,749
39,330,711
136,468,228
379,395,787

Sources: Eurostat (2009); q EU, 1995-2010

Findings and discussion

The Member States of Southern Europe form the leading tourist destination region in
the European Union (EU 27) with a market share of 57.7 per cent of the total nights
spent by non-residents in hotel and similar establishments, between 1999 and 2007.
However, during this period, they lost market share for the remaining EU countries,
namely the new Member Sates (ten in 2004, plus two in 2007), having decreased from
59.5 per cent (1999-2001) to 56.4 per cent (2005-2007).
Spain is the top destination (37.6 per cent of the total nights spent by non-residents,
between 1999 and 2007), followed by Italy (26.2 per cent), France (18.9 per cent), Greece
(11.0 per cent) and Portugal (6.3 per cent). In the most recent three-year period

Competitive
destination
analysis
369

Table I.
Nights spent by
non-residents in
hotel establishments
in European Union
Member States of
Southern Europe

WHATT
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370

(2005-2007), the ratio of nights spent by non-residents per (local) inhabitant, a measure
of tourism intensity, was 2.04. Greece (3.77), Spain (3.27) and Portugal (2.28) were above
the average and Italy (1.70) and France (1.14) were below the average.
During the period under analysis, Spain (72.7 per cent) and Portugal (67.9 per cent)
are the most dependent on the tourist flows from the referred European Union Member
States of Central and Northern Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany,
The Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden and the UK), followed by Greece (65.3 per cent), Italy
(52.2 per cent) and France (48.6 per cent).
Between 1999 and 2007, the group of generating countries contributed with 61.7
per cent of the total nights spent by non-residents registered in the European Union
Member States of Southern Europe (France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain). In spite
of the decrease in the relative importance of the generating countries during the last
nine years (64.4 per cent between 1999 and 2001; 61.8 per cent between 2002 and 2004
and 58.9 per cent between 2005 and 2007) they still represent the main markets for
those destinations.
Germany and the UK are the leading origins, respectively, representing 40.5 and
35.5 per cent of the market, followed by The Netherlands (6.7 per cent) and Belgium
(6.5 per cent). The remaining five countries (Austria, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark and
Finland) do not surpass 10.8 per cent of the nights spent by non-residents in hotel
establishments. The global recovery in the most recent three-year period (2005-2007)
was not enough to eliminate the losses of the previous three-year period (2002-2004).
Germany is at the top, with a decrease of 15 per cent.
In the most recent three-year period (2005-2007), the generating countries produced
1.16 nights spent per capita in hotel establishments at the European Union Member
States of Southern Europe. Belgium (1.43), the UK (1.40) and Ireland (1.33) are the heavy
users, Germany (1.10), Austria (0.99) and The Netherlands (0.98) the medium-users and,
finally, Denmark (0.68), Sweden (0.68) and Finland (0.52) are the light-users.
Spain is more competitive (SD . 0) in the UK and in Germany, the two main
generating countries (Table II). At the remaining countries Spains market share is
below its average market share (SD , 0). Spain shows stronger gains in market share
in the most recent three-year period (2005-2007) than the losses occurred in the
previous period (2002-2004). The SV, compute as a difference between annual growth
rates, is positive in Denmark, Ireland and the UK for both periods (Table III).
Italy presents the best relative performances (SD . 0) in the geographically closest
markets (Austria and Germany). Despite the reduction of its main market (Germany),
Italy is the only destination with global gains in market share for both periods.
Like Italy, France presents best relative performances (SD . 0) in the
geographically closest markets (Belgium, The Netherlands and the UK). Contrary to
Spain, France shows deeper losses in market share in the most recent three-year period
(2005-2007) than the gains occurred in the previous period (2002-2004). The SV is
negative, for both periods, in Sweden and Finland, the most distant markets.
Greece, the most peripheral destination, is more competitive (SD . 0) in the Nordic
countries (Finland, Sweden and Denmark). Contrary to Italy, it is the only destination
with global losses in market share for both periods. The SV is negative, for both
periods, in six out of nine generating countries.
Portugal is less competitive (SD , 0) in Austria, Belgium and Germany,
the only generating countries with border land frontiers with other destinations

Country of residence
2006
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
The Netherlands
Ireland
UK
Sweden
2003
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
The Netherlands
Ireland
UK
Sweden
2000
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
The Netherlands
Ireland
UK
Sweden

France

Greece

Italy

Portugal

Spain

2 66.7
139.7
2 17.8
2 50.9
2 46.9
51.8
2 19.9
28.6
2 37.2

75.5
27.3
74.7
138.3
26.8
39.8
259.1
218.1
102.1

155.8
218.2
11.1
6.3
33.7
222.6
5.4
244.8
0.4

248.0
247.1
53.3
99.9
239.0
57.9
148.2
25.9
29.7

2 68.0
2 25.8
2 26.0
2 35.5
5.4
2 23.3
2 5.3
13.9
2 17.4

2 66.5
110.5
5.0
2 54.7
2 44.9
63.0
2 31.3
27.5
2 37.7

80.9
213.9
100.3
144.8
20.8
7.6
252.7
218.3
106.9

165.8
222.2
20.3
29.0
44.8
228.5
214.0
251.3
211.3

256.9
250.9
33.7
132.8
236.6
55.8
235.1
21.9
52.2

2 72.8
2 16.8
2 33.4
2 35.0
2 0.5
2 19.2
2 5.7
17.5
2 17.0

2 66.0
115.9
12.9
2 38.9
2 46.0
67.6
2 8.3
35.6
2 30.2

82.8
225.0
98.3
123.4
0.6
5.6
260.8
221.1
96.9

161.6
226.4
24.0
24.5
36.4
231.4
28.7
252.8
219.4

253.0
249.5
58.5
93.8
233.1
61.6
262.8
29.3
34.9

2 73.1
2 10.6
2 39.7
2 35.0
2.4
2 18.2
2 16.2
15.6
2 13.8

(Austria with Italy; and Belgium and Germany with France). The losses in market share in
the most recent three-year period (2005-2007) do not eliminate the gains occurred in the
previous period (2002-2004). Portugal faced the deepest losses in market share from the
country where it has been more competitive (Ireland).
Figures 2 and 3 show the MSA results for a destination (e.g. Portugal) and for an
origin (e.g. the UK).
Implications and conclusion
Lessons for practice
The results obtained lead to the rejection of H1 (the relative tourist competitiveness of
Spain, France, Greece, Italy and Portugal has not changed) and provide support for H2
(the countries present distinct levels of tourist competitiveness for the various
countries of origin). Between the first three-year period (1999-2001) and the most recent
one (2005-2007), the total nights spent by non-residents at Member States of Southern
Europe increased by 4.5 per cent but from other Member States of Central and
Northern Europe decreased by 4.3 per cent. During that period, Italy was the only
country showing no reduction ( 0.6 per cent), and Spain (2 1.2 per cent) and Portugal

Competitive
destination
analysis
371

Table II.
SD of nights spent by
non-residents in hotel
establishments
in European Union
Member States of
Southern Europe

WHATT
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372

Table III.
SV of nights spent
by non-residents
in hotel establishments
in European Union
Member States of
Southern Europe

Country of residence
2006-2003
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
The Netherlands
Ireland
UK
Sweden
Total
2003-2000
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
Germany
The Netherlands
Ireland
UK
Sweden
Total

IE: 6.0%

France

Greece

Italy

Portugal

Spain

2 3.6
0.9
2 11.9
2 0.8
2 4.5
2 5.7
1.9
2 3.1
2 3.1
2 3.4

22.9
0.6
26.8
22.9
23.9
7.2
27.1
21.9
22.7
21.9

20.5
2.5
4.8
6.5
21.9
3.5
8.5
4.9
5.1
0.8

6.2
2.3
4.8
2 5.5
2 1.5
0.2
2 10.7
0.7
2 5.5
2 0.3

7.0
22.5
5.4
1.1
3.3
20.5
1.6
0.2
1.1
1.3

1.9
1.6
0.0
2 7.0
3.0
1.5
2 8.0
0.4
2 1.3
2.4

23.7
1.0
23.0
20.5
23.7
22.9
3.1
22.5
21.8
23.4

1.4
2.7
2.1
20.7
2.7
2.2
21.2
2.0
4.0
0.9

2 1.9
2 0.1
2 4.4
7.0
2 0.8
2 0.3
2 2.0
2 1.1
4.8
0.9

20.1
22.7
2.7
20.5
21.3
20.8
4.1
0.1
21.6
20.4

SD: 235

150
Q1: Success

IE:
6.3%

Q2: Uncertainty

FI:
2.3%

Share deviation vertical axis

FI: 2.3%
75
NL:
10.4%

DK: 2.9%

NL: 10.8%

SE:
3.9%

UK:
UK:
45.6% 45.6%

UK:
SE: 3.4% 2.0%

0
12

12

DE:
24.6%

DE: 23.7%

BE:
AT:
3.2%
1.5% 75

BE: 3.4%

AT: 1.8%

2006
2003

Figure 2.
MSA: destination Portugal

Q3: Failure

Q4: Entry
150

Share variation horizontal axis

SD: 235

Competitive
destination
analysis

60

Q2: Uncertainty

Q1: Success

FR:
20.1%

373

30

Share deviation vertical axis

PT: 8.8%

FR: 20.1%
PT:
8.6%
ES: 51.5

GR:
51.2%

GR:
9.3%

GR: 8.8%
30

2006
IT:
10.8%

2003

Q3: Failure

60

IT: 12.6%

Q4: Entry

Share variation horizontal axis

(2 2.4 per cent) present a decrease below the global value (2 4.3 per cent). Greece
(2 18.8 per cent) and France (2 7.0 per cent) are both on the loosing side.
Southern European countries are still the main tourist destination region in the EU
but they should be concerned with the market share decrease, which means that they
are becoming less competitive, at least from the hotel industry perspective. However, it
is reasonable to admit that other accommodation options, such as the second homes,
may have had a different evolution in the same period.
Nevertheless, as a mature destination, Southern European countries need to
increase the product diversification and to find out new markets, not only in Europe.
They also need to monitor the level of consumption of their main international markets,
which includes the Member States of Central and Northern Europe.
The geographic coordinates of both destinations and origins, seem to have a strong
influence, but not equal, in the performance. The diversity of the results obtained
allows us to foresee that they are not the fruit of random factors and that they stem
from different levels and dynamics of competitiveness. In other words, there are no
pre-determined results and the management of internal factors (competitiveness)
should play a crucial role in the success of the destinations.
The MSA proves itself as an adequate tool for the study of tourist competitiveness
and, therefore, a valuable instrument for supporting the targeting strategies of
National Tourism Organisations. The main advantage of the MSA is its simplicity and

Figure 3.
MSA: origin UK

WHATT
2,4

374

the fact that it is the easiest way to provide a clear picture of what is happening.
Its weakness comes from the non-using of indicators to explain the reasons
for competitiveness (independent variables). Future research should try to complement
the MSA with other tools, in order to get not only the how but also the why, which is a
huge challenge.
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Corresponding author
guas can be contacted at: paguas@ualg.pt
Paulo A

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